“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ’If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (John 7:37-39 NIV).
Jesus interrupted this ceremony at the pinnacle of the celebration. He turned the focus from the priest who, tradition says, was pouring water from the stream of Siloah, which flowed under the Temple Mount onto the altar as a thanksgiving offering, and directed all attention upon Himself.
This act would have been irreverent, heretical, and crazy, if it hadn’t been true. Jesus was claiming that He alone was the source of life and salvation. No wonder the Jewish leaders were seeking to crucify Him! That ancient ceremony has ceased, but billions of people over the years and to this day come to Jesus to receive the living water of the Holy Spirit.
Since I was saved and filled with the Spirit, I have spoken aloud in tongues. I was taught early on that one should pray daily in tongues. For me it is life-giving, as essential as drinking water. Recently I’ve begun praying in tongues aloud in public. I’m never disrespectful, and I'm not loud. People talk on their phones in public, so I talk to God in public, in English and in my spiritual language. When I’ve shared this with other believers, they think I’m kidding, but it’s true. Why not? I have found that it helps change the spiritual atmosphere when I pray aloud. I carry on a continual conversation as I walk through stores, drive, or do errands. I need all the prayer I can get.
If we really believe that the Holy Spirit, and particularly speaking in tongues, is the living water Jesus promised (see Acts 2), then we and those around us need all that God will give. Think of it this way: the Holy Spirit is an unlimited well of life, but we are the valve that controls the flow. I choose to let the river flow. And I’ve found it is helpful in keeping my mind and body focused on Jesus. I encourage you to give it a try! “Pray without ceasing!”(1 Thes. 5:17).